It may look a little grim being 11 points in arrears to two unbeaten teams in the RBS National League, but there’s no need for Dundee HSFP to panic yet.
We’re just over a quarter in to the season and, while last week Watsonians followed Boroughmuir in handing High a sound beating to create a clear breakaway at the top of the division, both the Edinburgh clubs have yet to come to Mayfield.
High stand fifth, but have played three of the top four in the last three weeks and now get a run at some of the division’s less-apportioned outfits, starting with GHA at home.
There’s no question of complacency about taking on the team led by the former Glasgow centre, Andrew Henderson.
“It was a disappointing second-half performance last week at Myreside,” conceded head coach Colin Robertson after his team lost the second 40 25-5.
“We are looking for a full 80 minutes performance this week.
“We’re unbeaten at home this season after three games and there is a real will to make sure that run continues.”
Injuries have once again played Robertson’s hand for this week, with no Danny Levison available.
Chris Cumming steps back to six, Mike Stubbs adds beef to the second row and Neil Dymock will start at hooker.
In the backline Nick Alston marked his debut last week with a try and continues with Stuart Barlow as the centre combination, with Matt O’Sullivan starting on the wing.
Jed-Forest may be unbeaten and top of the Championship, but they will be looking over their shoulders at Howe of Fife after they ran up more than 50 points for the fourth week in succession.
Howe have now made up two of the points they conceded to Jed at Riverside on the opening day, and there’s a fair chance this week’s fixtures could involve a reshuffling with the top four playing each other.
Howe are at third-placed Musselburgh and will likely rotate their squad again.
Meanwhile, Jed have a difficult visit to Beveridge Park to take on a Kirkcaldy side that has been a revelation so far, underlined by the way they came from behind to get the win away to Aberdeenshire last week.
Five tries for the Blues meant another bonus point, and they will relish the chance to unseat the league leaders.
Dunfermline’s victory at Strathmore last week was a significant statement in the Caledonia Division One, underlining the Fifers as favourites to bounce back into Championship rugby.
The only unbeaten team left host fourth-placed Orkney at McKane Park, while Morgan and Strathmore clash at Alloway Place and Perthshire host Ellon.
There ares three unbeaten sides in Division Two Midlands, and two of them meet at Carleton Park where Glenrothes host Dundee University.
Hillfoots, leaders with maximum points from their opening three games, will meet Madras at Station Park this week.